Bill Abbott: Information should inform people about guns and crime

Several months ago, I wrote a letter to the editor of The Daily Times on guns. I gave several resources for anyone who wanted to better know about guns in history. I thought people who were honest would learn the subject and see how out of step the anti-gun group is.

I was wrong. It is interesting, these people look normal but when they talk about guns, something misfires.

Let's see what a little research will reveal:

? Over the past two decades as gun ownership has increased, crime has decreased.

? Assault rifles are rarely used by criminals.

? The shooters in Arizona, Colorado and Newtown were mentally ill and by all accounts, should have been incarcerated.

? We ignore countries with stronger gun control laws but which have a much higher murder rte, such as Brazil, Russia and Mexico.

? Since the assault weapon ban expired in 2004, crime has declined.

? Crime rates are lower in states that permit concealed carry than in states that do not.

? None of the bans being placed into law would have stopped the killings.

? The Second Amendment is not about assault weapons, hunting or sport shooting. It is a human right, just as the other amendments to the Constitution are.

It is of interest that Martin Luther King Jr. was denied a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Mahatma Gandhi once wrote: "Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms as the blackest.

We have two groups here. Which side are you on?

Bill Abbott

Atlantic

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Bill Abbott: Information should inform people about guns and crime

Several months ago, I wrote a letter to the editor of The Daily Times on guns. I gave several resources for anyone who wanted to better know about guns in history.